Outsource Specialist

Ascent Aerospace, LLC; Michigan; Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Vision Insurance

Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

AD&D Insurance

PTO

401k Match

Job summary

Ascent Aerospace is seeking an Outsourcing Specialist to manage vendor qualification, supplier performance, and procurement activities across aerospace manufacturing projects. You will collaborate with internal teams to source, onboard and optimize outsourced services.

The role emphasizes cost control, OTIF delivery, and working with QA to ensure supplier quality, with occasional travel to vendor sites as needed.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of supplier/vendor management experience in a manufacturing setting.
• Experience handling vendor quality and development perspectives.
• Export Control compliance requirement, US Person status.

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate and onboard new vendors and suppliers.
• Review vendor capabilities and conduct capacity planning.
• Request quotes and negotiate terms for outsourced goods/services.
• Plan and monitor outsourced activities with project teams and vendors.
• Communicate status updates and recovery plans with internal teams.
• Manage vendor lists and files; monitor supplier performance.
• Audit vendors and drive corrective actions with QA.
• Implement cost-saving strategies and value optimization.
• Drive on-time delivery, lead time reduction and working capital optimization.
• Prevent shortages by expediting items.

Skills

Communication skills

GD&T interpretation

Interpersonal skills

Oral & written communication

Analytical problem-solving

Multitasking

Confidential information handling

SAP

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associates or higher degree

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Posted Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 4:00 AM

Ascent Aerospace – Inspiring the next generation of flight!

Ascent Aerospace is a world-renowned, single-source provider of production and automated assembly systems for the aerospace and defense industry. We provide high-precision advanced automated equipment as well as a full suite of both mold and assembly tooling required for the aerospace manufacturing market, including the largest Invar molds ever made— making us the largest tooling group in the industry. We work with our customers to develop their project and see it through, from process engineering to build and installation, to ensure it is an efficient and cost-effective solution. As a true, single-source integrator, we have proven tools to surpass our customer expectations. We have greater control of timing and schedules, which allows for 100% accountability, and avoids costly mark-ups, ultimately saving our customers money. The result: a group of businesses, each an industry leader within their own discipline, now acting as one truly integrated supply base.

Summary of Position

The Outsourcing Specialist is responsible for vendor/supplier qualification, quality, and performance management, order management activities, and maintaining overall vendor/supplier relationships.

Essential Functions

• Identify, evaluate and onboard new vendors and suppliers.
• Review vendor/supplier capabilities and conduct capacity planning as needed
• Request quotes and negotiate terms for outsourced goods and services
• Plan and monitor outsourced activities within the given project timeline in close collaboration with the internal project teams and the vendors/suppliers
• Directly communicate status updates, action plans, and recovery strategies with program, planning, and operations teams
• Represent the organization in meetings with internal and external stakeholders to manage specific projects
• Manage approved vendor/supplier lists and corresponding files
• Monitor and report supplier/vendor quality and delivery performance metrics and improvement goals
• Partner with Quality Assurance to complete vendor/supplier audits, problem-solving activities, and corrective actions as needed
• Initiate and negotiate cost‑saving measures, leveraging innovative strategies to enhance value and optimize the organization's financial performance
• Develop and implement strategies for on‑time delivery (OTD) execution, material cost reduction, lead time improvements, supplier rationalization, and working capital optimization
• Prevent production material shortages by proactively identifying and expediting necessary items

Required QUALIFICATIONS, Education & ExperiencE

Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful job performance will be considered. Typical qualifications would be:

• 5+ years of experience in supplier/vendor management, supplier vendor qualification, or purchasing environment
• 5+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment –knowledge of practices including made to order fabrication, welding, machining, bonding, fastening a plus
• Demonstrated experience dealing directly with suppliers from a quality, purchasing, and/or development perspective
• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Associates or higher degree a plus
• This position must meet Export Control compliance requirements, therefore a “US Person” as defined by 22.C.F.R. § is required

Preferred SKILLS

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Blueprint and GD&T interpretation, Bill of Material (BOM) understanding
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Effective speaking and listening skills
• Technical, analytical, and problem‑solving mindset
• Ability to multitask in a fast‑paced environment
• Ethical conduct with a high regard for confidential information
• Proficient with computers, SAP software, Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications
• Organized with a keen attention to detail

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• None

Travel

• Occasional travel to vendors/suppliers as necessary

WORKING CONDITIONS

Working conditions described here are representative of those that may be experienced by an employee on a daily basis while performing the functions of this job.

• Typically sits for extended periods at a computer workstation
• May access and work in the manufacturing plant
• While performing the duties of this job, employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes and airborne particles
• The employee may be exposed to vibration
• The employee is occasionally exposed to caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
• May be required to travel to other site locations during the work day
• May be required to work weekends to meet department and business demands
• Work with safe manufacturing processes and understand that eyewear is mandatory in the manufacturing area.
• Knows that safety shoes are recommended in the manufacturing area

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

• Must be able to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Must be able to see, talk, hear, touch, feel and reach with hands and arms.
• Must be able to frequently walk and stand for short periods of time
• Must be able to lift and move up to 35lbs, occasionally lift and move objects up to 50lbs.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Employment is contingent upon successfully passing an employee reference check, criminal background check, and drug screening.

This position requires use of information that is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder').

Ascent Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. If you have a disability and you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please call toll-free [phone]. This phone number is created exclusively to assist disabled job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or technical issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response.

BENEFITS

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• AD&D Insurance
• PTO
• 401k Match

No Unauthorized Referrals from Recruiters & Vendors

Please note that Ascent Aerospace does not seek or accept unsolicited resumes or offers from third party recruiters or staffing agencies associated with any published or unpublished employment opportunities. Any unsolicited information sent to Ascent Aerospace will be considered as unencumbered and free from any fee or charge whatsoever. Only members of our Human Resources Team have the authority to engage or authorize recruiting services, which must be agreed upon before the unsolicited resume or offer is received.